Apple Watch vs. Samsung Gear S3: Which Device Is Right for You?

The Apple Watch Series 3 and Samsung Gear S3 have become two of the most popular smartwatches on the market – and there’s plenty of good reasons why. The watches have advanced features that make them more useful than earlier versions and they have prices that don’t seem outlandishly expensive when you consider how much functionality you get in return.

Before you invest in a new smartwatch, though, you should know the differences and similarities between the Apple Watch Series 3 and Samsung Gear S3.

Texting and Calling On-the-Go

The Apple Watch Series 3 and Samsung Gear S3 are the first smartwatches that let you text and call even when you don’t have your smartphone near you.

To use this functionality with the Apple Watch, you must have an iPhone 6 or later. Your iPhone also has to be turned on and connected to a network before you can talk with your Apple Watch. Whether you’re in your house or taking a long jog, you must leave your iPhone on so the Apple Watch can communicate with it. Apple Watch can connect to the iPhone via Bluetooth, a Wi-Fi network or LTE. Regardless, if your phone isn’t on, then the watch won’t let you make phone calls.

Samsung’s Gear S3 doesn’t have the same limitation. Even if you turn off your Android device, you can still use the smartwatch’s LTE network to send and receive both texts and calls. If you want to use your watch independently of your phone, then the Gear S3 is probably the right option for you.

Sports Features

Both smartwatches come with features that will appeal to athletes. Some of the most useful sports features that come with both watches include:

The ability to stream music to Bluetooth headphones.

GPS that tracks your running and cycling performance (in some versions, at least).

Maps that help you follow designated paths.

Apps that count how many calories you burn during workouts.

For the most part, either smartwatch will work well as a fitness tracker.

Swimmers, however, should opt for the Apple Watch Series 3, which has enough water resistance to withstand multiple laps in a pool. You can’t take it scuba diving, but you can certainly wear it at surface level.

The Gear S3 only has enough water resistance for you to wear it in the shower. It may withstand short exposure in a pool, but you shouldn’t try to use it while training underwater. At most, it can tolerate half an hour of submersion. Even then, you’re probably pushing your luck.

Comparing the Prices

When it comes to price, Samsung has managed to beat Apple by about $80. The Samsung Gear S3 has an MSRP of $349.99. The Apple Watch Series 3 has an MSRP of $429.